Class is held VIRTUALLY July 16th-19th, 2026, 10am - 5pm each day (our booking system only reflects the start day)

Take your designs from flat to three-dimensional with this in-depth workshop from Jayne Redman. Learn the innovative design and assembly concepts that Jayne has developed over 40-plus years of metalsmithing. Jayne will teach you the principles behind centrally radiating forms, properly nested forms, spacing for slotted forms, faux hinge assembly, and tab construction. She will demonstrate how she utilizes her computer as a design tool and show you how to replicate the same steps manually. Learn how to make blanking (pancake) dies to quickly cut out the shapes you develop in class and get lost in the process of experimenting with forming and assembly. Speed up your production or incorporate identical shapes in one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Techniques taught:

• Developing flat patterns used for three-dimensional forms
• Prototyping with heavy aluminum foil
• Using your computer as a design tool or creating the same design manually. 
• Layout for a correctly designed blanking die
• How to correctly use a saw frame and choose saw blades for sawing tool steel
• How to determine the rotational angle of your Bench Pin or WorkRing relative to the thickness of the tool steel and saw blade
  
• How to saw a blanking die out of tool steel
• How to use a hydraulic press or bench vise to blank out metal with blanking dies
• Tips and tricks using flex shaft accessories
• How to make your own forming tools

This class pairs well with the Prototype to Production: Forming for Multiples

Kit fee – payable to Jayne Redman Online: $175 including shipping

• Tool Steel, 2” x 4” x 1/32”, 9” x 4” x 1/32”, 9” x 4” x 3/64”
• Circular protractor
• Cast acrylic – 4 pieces
• Thermal Plastic
• 36-gauge Aluminum Foil
• Saw Blades, 4 dozen each, Super Pike, Pike Platinum
• Skip tooth and spiral saw blades, 1.5mm round bur, #52 drill bit, #60 drill bits
• Separating discs with a mandrel
• Snap on discs with a mandrel
• Faux Tubing Kit
• Wooden dowel assortment
  Handouts

Tools and Materials for this Class: Rio Grande links are used for examples

• Flexible shaft: Rio Grande - Or Dremel: Home Depot
• Center punch: Rio Grande - Or 1.5mm ball bur: Rio Grande
• Dividers: Rio Grande
• Bur life: Rio Grande
• 5" or 6" deep saw frame: Rio Grande
• Green Lion Big Belly saw frame: Rio Grande
• Cylinder Burs
• Flat or half-round hand file, #0 or #1 cut, Rio Grande - Or belt sander from a hardware store
• Copper and/or brass for samples and prototypes, 23 gauge or thinner to use with blanking dies 1/32” thick – 19 gauge or thinner to use with blanking dies 3/64” thick
• Shears like Joyce Chen Shears to cut thin metal: Amazon or Kitchen store
• Office supply store like Staples or Amazon: Scissors, ruler, Exacto knife, paper, including tracing paper and white printer/copier paper. Drawing materials including rulers, sharpie markers, pencils, erasers, and compasses
• Double stick tape
• Rubber Cement
• Plastic circle and oval templates,
• Apron
• Dust mask
• Safety Glasses and eye magnification if needed

Optional:

• A computer with Adobe Photoshop installed
• Silver or gold sheet: 23 gauge or thinner to use with blanking dies 1/32” thick – 19 gauge or thinner to use with blanking dies 3/64” thick, or we can roll out 22 gauge and 20 gauge metal
• Silver or gold wire for finished pieces - assorted gauges. I use 20-gauge for ear wires.
• Wolf Wax Trimmer  used with a #30 handpiece and a cylinder bur to create 90-degree walls on a silhouette die for mirror image pieces (I will have some for students to use and buy)
• Wolf Collar is used to hold a #30 handpiece vertically
• Highly Recommended - Additional saw blades 2/0: Super Pike Saw Blades - Rio Grande - You will receive 4 dozen in your kit, but you may want more!
• Extra #60 drill bits

Studio Tools:

• Bonny Doon Hydraulic Press: Rio Grande or hydraulic press from Potter USA
  • Or a large bench vise: Harbor Freight
• If using a bench vise to blank out dies, you will need two 1/2” thick pieces of cast acrylic at least 4” x 4” to sandwich your die to protect it from the jaws of the vise: Tap Plastics
• You will also need a length of pipe at least 18” long that can fit over the end of your vise handle for leverage: Hardware store
• Hot plate, metal pot and spoon, large bowl, smooth glossy tile, cooking spray, and ice to work with thermal plastic
• Jayne will provide Rotational Bench Pins, WorkRings, and Magnetic Protractors for students to use for in-person classes. They will be available for purchase at a student discount. She will also have extra materials available for purchase.
• Rotational Bench Pins, WorkRings with Slider Clamps, and Magnetic Protractors will be available to rent for online students. Send the tools back 30 days after the end of class for a refund, or simply let Jayne know you want to keep them.

Rental Fees:

• Base with aluminum surface, dovetail mounting plate, and magnetic protractor - $160
• WorkRing, Slider Clamps, dovetail mounting plate, and magnetic protractor - $325